Bangkok Interesting Spots

With many interesting attractions and places of interest in and around Bangkok, visitors can have a variety of " do-it-yourself " day trips to keep your holidays fun-filled and enjoyable.

Old Town - China Town

In the old Bangkok town are located the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, two universities and several ministries.

It is from this side of the Chao Phraya River that one takes a boat to visit the Temple of Dawn and the floating market

Chinatown is situated to the southeast of the old town . The gold shop street and the Temple of the Gold Buddha are located here.

Pinklao

A bridge was built across the Chao Phraya River near the Grand Palace in 1973.

It was named Pin Klao in memory of the last but one deputy king, whose palace was nearby.

Now the area on the western side of the river has become one of the most newly developed areas in Bangkok with several department stores, many restaurants and nightlife establishments.

Ratchadaphisek

Ratchadaphisek is the name of the new sections of the inner ring road of Bangkok but is usually used to refer to the short section between the Lat Phrao intersection and the Rama IX Road intersection.

This section is being developed into a new commercial district containing several big department stores, office buildings, hotels and a large number of restaurants.

A little way off the road is Thailand Cultural Centre, where shows and exhibitions are held from time to time.

Ramkhamhaeng

When Ramkhamhaeng University was founded on Bangkok's eastern outskirts as Thailand's first open university in 1970, the area was rather remote and underdeveloped.

However, as the university's yearly enrolments increased rapidly to 100,000, the area soon became a new satellite city of Bangkok with ever-increasing shop-houses, apartment buildings, restaurants, cinema houses, department stores, hotels and places of entertainment.

Siam - Ratchadamri

This is one of the biggest and busiest shopping districts in Bangkok.

A huge commercial complex, including a 62-storey World Trade Centre opposite Ratchadamri Arcade, is partly completed.

Located in the area are several large department stores, shopping arcades, cinema theatres, and countless smaller shops.

So you can satisfy all your needs if you stay in one of over a dozen first-class hotels in the area.

The Pratunam Market next to the Indra Arcade, is worth visiting if you want to broaden your field of vision. It is also the market of garments for export.

Sukhumvit - New Phetburi

In the section from the Soi Nana crossroads to Soi Sukhumwit 21 (Asok Intersection), there are many shops catering to foreign tourists, where jewellery, leather goods, ready-made garments and souvenirs are sold and tailoring, car rent and other service are offered. Inside the lanes (soi) off the road, there are numerous fashionable residences, hotels, apartment houses, and some really good restaurants.

To the north of Sukhumwit Road is the extension of Phetburi Road which does not have many pedestrians in the daytime.

After dark, however, the long street is brightened with colourful neon signs and enlivened by people going out to enjoy themselves in dozens of entertainment Places along the street.

Silom - Surawong

This district has transformed in half a century from paddy fields into the most important business and financial centre of Bangkok.

Today, from end to end, these two parallel streets are full of big blocks of multistory buildings, in which are banks, finance firms, insurance companies, export-import houses, hotels, airlines offices, restaurants, shopping arcades, department stores, and entertainment establishments.

A small area in this district known as Patpong, is famous for various kinds of entertainment - wine, beer, music, dancing, etc.

Bang Lamphu

A shopping area once frequented solely by local people has become a popular place for tourists.

This area offers various inexpensive items, especially ready made clothes, handbags, men's and lady's shoes, cosmetics and curios. Bargaining is recommended.

Sanam Luang

This huge public ground in front of the Grand Palace used to be the place where the Weekend Market now moved to Suan Chatuchak on Phahonyothin Road was held.

Special activities or ceremonies such as the Royal Ploughing Ceremony in May and the New Year Festival also take place here.

At the northern part of Sanam Luang opposite the Royal Hotel is a small statue placed in small white pavillion.

The Goddess of the Earth was built during King Chulalongkorn's reign (1868 - 1910) to provide public drinking water.

Weekend Market at Chatuchak Park

This large open public ground covers approximately 35 acres opposite the Northern Bus Station on Phahonyothin Road.

Known as Suan Chatuchak, it hosts the popular Weekend Market where people buy and sell a thousand local products.

Items range from exotic fresh fruits, vegetables, handicrafts, dress materials, clothing shoes, toys, domestic utensils and pets.

There is a particularly fine section for plants.

Weekend Market is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 7.00 a.m. - p.m. 6.00.